The NikeLab ACG Summer 2018 collection has been unveiled and it centers around a fan-favorite material, one that may make people first think of cooler weather: Gore-Tex.
“This season, we discussed trying to finesse more of a modular system for men and women. What are our expectations toward summer apparel, in terms of adaptability and modularity?” asked Johanna Schneider, senior director for NikeLab ACG, in a statement.
According to Nike, Schneider and NikeLab ACG collaborator Errolson Hugh, the man behind ACRONYM, posed this question when putting together the latest ACG collection. The new pieces focus on three things: the utility of Gore-Tex, the breathability of fleece, and the mobility of trousers.
Gore-Tex, a long-lasting fabric, is a breathable, waterproof, and windproof membrane as well a laminate that is bonded between a lining and outer textile. For this ACG collection, the design team wanted to show how Gore-Tex can be useful for the summer.
“The beauty of the material we’re using is that it’s both protective and highly breathable,” said Schneider in a statement. “It’s basically a 365-appropriate material. We wanted to make it more seasonally appropriate for summer through the silhouette, for those who prefer a day at the beach house, for example.”
The NikeLab ACG Gore-Tex jacket is the highlight of the Summer 2018 collection, and it will be available in both men’s and women’s sizing. According to Nike, the jacket is constructed in three layers with detachable sleeves from the standard 3/4 sleeve length, and multiple pockets offer plenty of storage. Interior straps allow wearers to shed the layer’s weight while keeping it in arm’s reach.
Fleece, an unexpected material for summer, is used on the NikeLab ACG PO Hoodie.
“We were thinking about what the fleece could look like for summer,” said Schneider in a statement. “We built in more breathability details, like the mesh component in the neck for ventilation, so when you move your head inside the hood, you can stay cool, and also rely on the physical articulation of the overall piece.”
New cargo pants also focus on breathability with articulated legs and expandable cargo pockets with zipper and snap closures (to embrace the techwear aesthetic). Interestingly, there is only one pant silhouette for both men and women in this collection. “The idea was that you might just need one full pant in the summer season,” Schneider told Nike.
Finally, the cargo short for men’s and women’s incorporates a seamless knit component for the first time ever in NikeLab ACG garments.
The NikeLab ACG Summer 2018 collection releases on May 17, but Nike has not announced pricing information.
Source: Nike
